Education and training important to Vic people - ABS figures (Media Release)

MEDIA RELEASE

November 5, 1998

Embargoed 11:30am (AEST)

114/98

Education and training important to Vic people - ABS figures

New survey figures published today by the Australian Bureau of Statistics show that, in Victoria, 922,800 people aged 15 to 64 had completed at least one training course in the 12 month period prior to the conduct of the survey (March to May 1997).

The figures in Education and Training Experience, Australia 1997 present a wide range of information about key aspects of education and training.This survey was partly funded by the Australian National Training Authority and the Department of Employment, Education, Training & Youth Affairs.

Key findings about educationin Victoria are that:

49 per cent of men and 45 per cent of women held at least one post-school qualification;

8 per cent started, but did not complete, an educational qualification in the last 5 years;

77 per cent of wage and salary earners undertook some form of training in the 12 month period;

"No need" was the most commonly given reason by 40 per cent of those not undertaking study and by 50 per cent of those not undertaking training courses; and,

22 per cent intended to study for an educational qualification in the next three years.

Key findings about training courses completed in Victoria in the 12 months prior to the survey include that:

the average time spent on training courses was 26 hours;

only 14 per cent incurred a cost to the participant, with the average cost being $225; and,

86 per cent of training courses undertaken while working were considered to have improved job performance.

The Survey also found that353,200 people in Victoria enrolled to study for a post-school qualification in 1997 (excluding those aged 15 to 20 and still at secondary school). Of these;

16 per cent received financial support for that study from their employer, and 46 per cent received financial support from other sources; and,

more students enrolled full-time (175,500) than part-time (141,700).

Of the 169,900 people aged 15 to 20 and still at secondary school in Victoria at the time of the survey:

5 per cent were undertaking TAFE accredited subjects; and,

94 per cent said that they intended to complete their schooling.

Education and Training Experience, Australia 1997 (cat. no. 6278.0) is available from ABS Bookshops. The summary of findings from the publication is available from this site.